Gan´elon

(2 syl. ), count of Mayence, the “Judas” of Charlemagne’s paladins. His castle was built on the Blocks berg, the loftiest peak of the Hartz Mountains. Charlemagne was always trusting this base knight, and was as often betrayed by him. Although the very busine of the paladins was the upholding of Christianity, Sir Ganelon was constantly intriguing for its overthrow. No doubt jealousy of Sir Roland made him a traitor, and he basely planned with Marsillus (the Moorish king), the attack of Roncesvallês. The character of Sir Ganelon was marked with spite, di imulation, and intrigue, but he was patient, obstinate and enduring. He was six feet and a half in height, had large glaring eyes and fiery red hair. He loved solitude, was very taciturn, disbelieved in the existence of moral good, and has become a by-word for a false and faithle friend. Dantê has placed him in his “Inferno.” (Sometimes called Gan .) The most faithle spy since the days of Ganelon.—Sir W. Scott, The Abbot , xxiv. (1820).